"Secret transmission of the Yaowang?"
Dahao continues to explain: "They are a group of Abundance followers who take excavating forbidden pill formulas and reviving the so-called immortal elixir secrets as their vocation. For such a long-extinct organization, if there are signs of it rekindling from the ashes, beginning to sow chaos in the mortal world."
Stelle snaps her fingers: "Got it. I'll go undercover."
"Mm. You are a fresh face on Luofu, and still an outsider. Entrusting this matter to you, everyone can rest easy." Dahao reminds:
"But you must be careful. Contacting these demonic cultists will inevitably carry danger. When interacting with them, please absolutely not be negligent."
"Mm... then I'll find a helper."
...
"That's how it is. Me going alone to test the waters risks being seen as an undercover."
The scene shifts. Stelle finds Adrian who is giving March 7th a crash course on milk tea knowledge. Welt and Dan Heng have also arrived at Evernight Pavilion, learning of the events that just transpired.
"Ah, going undercover isn't something I can do... It's really not that I'm afraid. I'll say the wrong thing." March 7th waves her hands. She has clear self-awareness. Though going undercover sounds thrilling, it feels not suited to her.
"Undercover work like this... better leave it to you young people."
Welt pushes up his glasses. The Lord Ravager issue isn't resolved yet, and now another [secret transmission of the Yaowang] organization pops up.
"I agree with him." Adrian stands on Welt's side. With this time, better to go lie down in the milk tea shop.
"Wow... no way, Teacher Adrian. You can bear to watch me go undercover alone?" Stelle's tone softens. Seeing Adrian unmoved, she places all her hopes on Dan Heng.
"Two people together wouldn't make it even easier to be seen as undercovers?" Dan Heng counters.
"Ah, seems like that's the logic..."
"Though this lady can't accompany you undercover, we can go one by one to test. Could it be just saying a few words and they'll go with us?" March 7th walks to Stelle's side, brainstorming for her:
"First scout around for any suspicious personnel... Cult organizations in movies are always in alleys. By rights, they wouldn't appear in public places."
March 7th doesn't know from where she pulls out reflective sunglasses, putting them on and successfully transforming into the famous detective.
"Eh? You see that guy in green clothes not far away... doesn't he look extremely suspicious? In movies, people with this color scheme are always the bad guys!"
...
In the end, under Stelle and March 7th's careful selection, Dan Heng and Adrian stay behind. Can't just send Stelle right away. First send them to probe the intelligence. Even if it fails, no harm.
And the eliminated Welt has other matters to handle and leaves first.
"No one around, the perfect time to strike! Teacher Adrian, you take the lead!"
"Ah? Me?" Adrian points to himself.
Stelle and March 7th nod vigorously.
"Fine then... I'll make a fool of myself." Adrian's mouth corner lifts slightly, putting on an appearance of casually passing by.
"Honored guest from afar, please stay your step. Do you crave longevity?"
"Hook set!"
Seeing Adrian successfully accosted, Stelle is secretly delighted inside. They have taken the first step toward success!
"Longevity? No, I crave Eternity." Adrian answers straightforwardly.
"I understand! You mean you crave longevity, right! After all, immortality is also a form of Eternity!"
"Fooling you. Actually, I'm craving pure power."
"Uh... you've got me stumped, brother. Haha, you this person are really interesting. To be frank, what I have here can only provide outsiders the chance for immortality, but perhaps you are more suited to join the Antimatter Legion."
Smack!
Adrian slaps over with one palm, precisely hitting his left cheek.
The suspicious personnel suspected to be [secret transmission of the Yaowang]: ? ? ?
"Why hit me?"
"Don't mention the [Antimatter Legion] in front of me. Thanks."
"Wow... is this what they call striking first before courtesy?" March 7th hiding behind the wall observes the situation.
"Usually, it's courtesy first, then striking." Dan Heng explains.
And that suspicious personnel, after being slapped a big one by Adrian, leaves cursing and swearing.
Adrian turns back, looking at the group hiding behind the wall observing the situation.
"Sorry, failed."
"Not hiding it at all, Teacher Adrian."
Adrian stretches lazily, pulling out from ancient memories this suspicious personnel's name: "Not entirely fruitless. That guy is called Green Hibiscus."
Stelle is torn between laughter and tears. At a time like this, Adrian really can't be relied on, because he never intended to go undercover to begin with.
"Next person, next."
Stelle pushes out the taciturn Dan Heng: "Teacher Dan Heng, I believe in you."
Waiting in the shadows for a few minutes, that suspicious personnel called Green Hibiscus walks back cursing and swearing.
"Now's the time. Go, Teacher Dan Heng."
Bearing Stelle and March 7th's expectations, Dan Heng also pretends to pass by casually, walking before Green Hibiscus.
"Honored guest from afar, please stay your step. Do you crave longevity?" Green Hibiscus, covering his left cheek, calls him.
"Not craving." Dan Heng always loves to speak the truth.
"Uh... th-then, do you know of [Abundance]..."
Smack!
The crisp slap rings out again. Green Hibiscus feels the fiery pain from his right cheek.
At least not hitting the same spot... not good at all!
"Advise you once: do not mention [Abundance] within the Xianzhou of [The Hunt]."
"Alright, you continue. I'm listening."
Green Hibiscus: ? ? ?
Even with his face brutally beaten, for the merciful Yaowang! That is, for the performance of the secret transmission of the Yaowang, he grits his teeth, planning to continue selling to Dan Heng:
"Brother, thanks for the reminder. Let's talk properly. Can you not hit?"
"Good."
"Uh... I suddenly remember I have something. Farewell for now."
Hearing the other's answer, Green Hibiscus is frightened. Continuing to speak, his face might not be preserved.
Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is best!
In the blink of an eye, Green Hibiscus vanishes before Dan Heng.
"Sometimes... still have to rely on oneself."
Seeing the wonderful performances of Adrian and the two, Stelle comprehends this principle.
"Dan Heng, be honest. Did you learn bad from Teacher Adrian?"
March 7th feels he's earnestly playing abstract, yet can't find evidence.
"No. I was just stating facts. Moreover, at least drew one conclusion: I have no talent for being undercover."
"Dan Heng and Adrian both failed. Now it can only rely on you."
Everyone's hopes are placed on Stelle again.
"No, after experiencing the previous two times, will that guy even come back?"
"Rest assured. How could he not come back? Forgot the Stellaron Hunters' [Script]? All of this... is predetermined fact."
Even if Green Hibiscus runs off for good, Adrian can still capture him back.
Sure enough, waiting in place for about ten minutes, Green Hibiscus returns wearing a helmet... still rather crudely made, like the roadside stall kind.
"See, what is professionalism? This is professionalism! He even willing to buy a street-side Cloud Knight helmet for kids to play with, unwilling to give up selling longevity."
"Teacher Adrian, you say it this way... I feel he's so pitiful."